May calls for early poll in bid to strengthen her hand
LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May called yesterday for an early election on June 8, saying she needed a fresh mandate to move ahead with Britain’s planned break from the European Union.
The surprise announcement – made outside her office at 10 Downing Street – comes amid political strains over Brexit and moves by Scotland to possible carve its own independent path to remain in the EU.
“I have concluded the only way to guarantee certainty and stability for the years ahead is to hold this election and seek your support for the decisions I have to make,” she said.
Last month, Britain submitted its formal request to begin EU exit negotiations.
Theresa May became prime minister in July last year, shortly after the referendum that set in motion Britain’s EU divorce and prompted the resignation of her predecessor, David Cameron.
May also is taking a political gamble. If her Conservative party wins the snap elections, she will have the mandate to pursue her own agenda as she heads into negotiations as Britain exits the EU – not the one set out by her predecessor Cameron.
But a loss would throw deep uncertainty into the talks ahead between Britain and the other 27 EU members, and reflect important shifts in British sentiment since last year’s referendum.
Polls show that the Conservative party has a strong lead over the opposition Labour party of more than 20 points. But the announcement still caught some off guard because Downing Street has repeatedly denied that May would seek an early election. The next one was scheduled for 2020.
The British prime minister used to be able to “call” an election when he or she wanted. But the 2011 FixedTerm Parliaments Act changed that, setting the date of the election every five years. But the leader can still seek an early election if two thirds of lawmakers vote for it. Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the opposition Labour, has previously said he would agree to an early poll.
It is rare for leaders to make statement outside No. 10 Downing Street
it’s usually reserved as the setting – for major announcements.
“We need a general election, and we need one now,” May said, “because we have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done while the European Union agrees its negotiating position and before the detailed talks begin.”
Although Britain as a whole voted in favour of leaving of the EU, majorities in both Scotland and Northern Ireland favoured staying in the bloc.